Dr. Trey Berry
Dr. Trey Berry was formally introduced as the president-designate of Southern Arkansas University during a press conference on the Magnolia campus Friday afternoon. The SAU Board of Trustees tapped Berry to be the University’s 12th president during a special meeting on Thursday, and he will assume the role on July 1.
Berry joined SAU in 2011 as professor of history and dean of the College of Liberal and Performing Arts. He was promoted to provost and vice president for academic affairs a year later. Before coming to SAU, he spent two years as deputy director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, two years as a dean at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and 18 years as a faculty member and administrator at Ouachita Baptist University.
Building on his promise to focus on people, planning, programs, and philanthropy, Berry told the standing-room-only crowd that he planned to “hit the ground listening” even during the transition period. He said that as president his leadership style will not change from that which the campus community has already grown accustomed.
“My style is this: I’m going to be a listener. I’m going to be an encourager. I want to instill a vision in people as to what they want in their areas (of the University),” he said. “My style is going to be to empower all of you.”
Dr. Trey Berry during a press conference Friday afternoon.
Berry applauded the physical improvements to the SAU campus under the leadership of Dr. David Rankin, SAU’s current president. He said those enhancements will now allow the University to focus on other areas.
“Dr. Rankin has set us up in such a good way for the future,” he said. “Now we have to shift gears and focus on people, planning, programs and philanthropy. We have to raise money for this institution.”
Under his leadership, Berry hopes to continue strengthening the ties between the campus and the Magnolia community. A growing Magnolia means a growing SAU, and a growing SAU means a growing Magnolia.
“We need each other,” he said.
Berry pointed to the recent success of the Making Magnolia Blossom campaign as an indicator that the University can make an impact in the community.
Dr. David Rankin, left, laughs with Dr. Trey Berry and his wife, Dr. Katherine Berry, during Friday’s press conference.
What started as an idea between two people resulted in an initiative that brought out more than 500 campus and community volunteers to clean and transform Magnolia’s Main Street.
“It showed me that a group of people can be an agent of change,” he said.
Since first arriving at SAU four years ago, Berry has become active in the Magnolia community. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Magnolia-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and the advisory board of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences – South since 2013. He has been a member of the Golden Triangle Economic Development Council Board of Directors since 2014, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Magnolia.
Noting that “home is where the heart is,” he said Magnolia has become home for him and his family. Berry and his wife, Dr. Katherine Simms Berry, have two children, Tanner, 16, and Berkeley, 6.
Rankin, who is retiring at the end of the current academic year, praised the selection of Berry as his successor.
Dr. Trey Berry, left, shakes hands with current SAU President Dr. David Rankin.
“The University is moving ahead, and we have a talented new leader to take us to – I believe – a new level,” Rankin said. “(My wife) Toni and I met Dr. Berry 23 years ago. We were impressed with you then, and we are impressed with you now.”
Rankin said the choice of Berry as president will allow the administrative transition to take place without causing the University to lose momentum. In much the same way relay runners pass the baton, “we don’t want to lose any speed,” he said.
Berry’s ascension to the office of president leaves a void that will now need to be filled in the provost’s office. Rankin said filling that senior administrator role will be a top priority for him and Berry in the days ahead.
“We’re going to look for the best talent available,” he said.
